Which one of the following is NOT a component of conducting tissue in plants?

Conducting tissues in plants, collectively known as vascular tissues, consist of xylem and phloem [1]. Xylem is responsible for water and mineral transport and includes tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma, and xylem fibres [1]. Phloem transports organic nutrients and is composed of sieve tubes (or sieve elements), companion cells, phloem parenchyma, and phloem fibres [3]. While fibres (both xylem and phloem fibres) are structural components of these conducting tissues [2], and tracheids and sieve tubes are the primary conducting elements [3], the pericycle is not a component of the conducting tissue itself. Instead, the pericycle is a layer of cells located between the endodermis and the vascular cylinder (stele) in roots and stems, serving as a site for lateral root initiation and secondary growth rather than direct conduction [2]. Therefore, pericycle is the correct answer as it is not a constituent of xylem or phloem.

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > 5.4.2 Transportation in Plants > p. 94
2. [3] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Transport of food and other substances > p. 95
3. [2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/vascular-tissue